Copp's Hill Burying Ground and Terrace

Your Guide

Against the modern backdrop of the harbor and Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge sits Copp's Hill Burying Ground. One in a long list of Boston’s historic graveyards, the burying ground is home to some of the oldest graves in the city.

The graveyard sits on top of the Copp’s Hill Terrace, a park built by Olmstead and Eliot, that affords visitors an impressive view of the Boston waterfront and Charlestown Navy Yard.

As one of the farthest removed sections of the North End, Copp’s Hill maintains a peaceful and reverent atmoshere where visitors can browse and relax among some of Boston’s most interesting historic artifacts.

Along the Freedom Trail

Copp's Hill Burying Ground is situated between the modernity of Boston and the historic warmth of the North End. Visitors pass along the Freedom Trail, which runs along the long, brick wall of the burial ground. Ivy and trees break over the wall and creates a small canopy.

Image: Maria Bellalta

Pause and Enter

In a style typical of Boston's historic cemeteries, Copp's Hill greets residents with an ornamental, grand iron entrance. The steep flagstone steps funnel visitors up into the burial ground and affords them an opportunity to breathe and reflect inside the open park.

Image: Maria Bellalta

Grave Markers

Some of the most interesting cultural artifacts in Boston are found in the city’s numerous burial grounds. Death heads carved into sandstone grave markers denote the culture and artistry of generations past. Graves, tilted and cracked, returning to the ground, provide visitors insight into another time in American city life.

Image: Maria Bellalta

Expanse of Headstones

The elevated, yet flat grounds of the park afford wide, expansive views of the entire area from a number of different vantage points. Sunken mausoleums and monuments serve as the gathering points of numerous paths and trails through the rows of graves.

Image: Maria Bellalta

Various Styles

Marker material, condition, and position inside the burial grounds indicate how the historic grave sites were designed in centuries past. Visitors can expect to find graves from different time periods, social classes, and even some famous graves in separated plots like these.

Image: Maria Bellalta

Transitional Moment

The stairs leading up to the terrace, a planted hillside flanked by granite walls and steps, is another incredible place to view the classic neighborhood. Carefully placed seating and tree canopy create small places for visitors to stop and observe the neighborhood around them. These design gestures create memorable moments in the waterfront park.

Image: Maria Bellalta

Grand Staircase

Grand steps leading up from the waterfront add a grandeur and gravitas to the terrace and offer visitors multiple views from the landings and flights of steps. Visitors are guided up through the space by these massive stone staircases to arrive at a shady, cool platform overlooking the Harbor.

Image: Maria Bellalta

Shaded Lookout

At the top of the terrace, visitors are shaded by trees, given enough space to meander and wander, and afforded unobstructed views of the Boston water. These views give a complete context to a historic waterfront neighborhood. Visitors are invited to imagine the landscape and lifestyle of centuries past and examine them against their modern incarnations.

Image: Maria Bellalta

Historic Stone

The wrapping, heavy walls of the terrace give visitors the a sense that this landmark has always been there. Material choices here make the North End park stand out, while still being reverent and reminiscent of the warm, rough brick and stone found throughout the historic area.

Image: Maria Bellalta

The Terrace

At the top of the terrace are some unique views of the Boston waterfront. When the tall ships enter the city’s waters this view becomes particularly historic in feel. Masts rise from the planted steps below the look-out terrace and weave themselves into the great oaks and beech trees of Copp’s Hill. Even without the historic ships these views give new insight into the city’s past modes of trade and travel.